FAQ

(Click the Question for your Answer)

Registration

How are cabin mates assigned if I’m traveling alone?

Cabins are double occupancy with the ability to add 1-2 more people. Please use our FB Group to find room mates. You can always put enough money down to hold the entire cabin in order to lock it in and find room mates later. As long there is one original name on the cabin, you can change the names up until Final Payment.

What’s the deal with all of the cabin-mates having to register?

Everyone has to register to get on board. Part of it is a Homeland Security thing. You also can’t print up your boarding pass until you are all registered.

It looks like I have to register my credit card. Will my cabin-mates see this information?

You don’t have to register your credit card. You can give them your card when you get on board.

How does the payment plan work?

Initial Deposit is $100 due immediately upon registration in order to lock in your cabin choice.

2nd payment of $175 is due no later than November 8, 2013.

Remaining balance is due January 10th, 2014.

(Any late payments may be considered forfeiture of your spot in the cabin.)

Are passports required?

It is recommended that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to meet their ship at the first port should they miss their scheduled embarkation and allow guests that must disembark the ship before their cruise ends due to an emergency to fly back to the U.S without significant delays and complications. It is also recommended that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond completion of travel.

I think you can also use your birth certificate.

I have Special Dietary Needs…

All dietary needs such as Vegetarian or Low Salt or Low Sugar, are currently part of the menu selection onboard . This is on all ships. For those dietary needs that need special attention, ie: Gluten free or allergies related inquiries , please contact the special needs department at 800 438 6744 x 70025. They will give you more detailed information.

I already registered for the Cruise, what is a FUN PASS?

Cynthia will give you your Boarding Number and Room Assignment once your cabin is paid in full

You are required to register for your FUN PASS (aka Boarding Pass) on the Carnival website. Don’t forget to print it and bring it with you at Embarkation. You will be able to Register for your FUN PASS once you receive your Boarding Number and Room Assignment.

Which Carnival Cruise boat is this?

We will be partying on the Fun Ship “Inspiration” March 15-18, 2013 leaving the port of Long Beach.

What is the Carnival Inspiration Fun Ship’s Deck Layout?

Is there a difference between the rooms on the main deck, upper deck, etc in terms of quality or desirability?

Well the Inside has a lovely view of a wall and Ocean View you can see out. But to answer your real question, I believe the only difference in the cabins is how high above sea level each deck is. Which is reflected in the price increases. I guess it’s a better view? Closer to all the activities?

General

How can I promote the cruise in my city?

Share the FB invite on your Wall! Mark that you are “Attending” and if you want to distribute flyers at your local events please let us know and we will mail them out to you!! Anything to make the party bigger!!! Let us know at Cruisinforabluesin@gmail.com

Whatever shall I wear?

There’s pools and hot tubs, a gym and a formal dinner on Saturday night. Guys have dressed in tuxes and suits, Ladies in evening gowns and cocktail dresses….surprise us with how well you can clean up!

Also we will be dancing under the stars at night and although it’s warmer here than most parts in the beginning of March, bring warm clothes (at least until you warm up dancing.)

Is housing being offered if I get in early?

As of now we don’t have a formal housing registration set up. But please use Facebook or email us and we will see what we can do for you. If the demand is great enough, yes, we will provide housing for those coming in from out of town.

What is there to do in LA if I get in earlier?

Which Carnival Cruise boat is this?

We will be partying on the Fun Ship “Inspiration” March 15-18, 2013 leaving the port of Long Beach.

Most importantly: How much alcohol can I bring on board?

Guests, 21 years of age and older, may bring one bottle (750ml) of wine or champagne, per person, only in their carry-on luggage. (I hear Snapple looks an awful lot like scotch…)

Do you have luggage restrictions?

Guests are encouraged to limit their checked luggage to two suitcases per person, with each suitcase not to weigh more than 50 pounds and not exceed 16″H x 24″W x 30″L. Please attach your Carnival Cruise Lines luggage tags PRIOR to leaving home and make sure that they are still on your bags when checking in with us. In many ports, guests have the option of carrying luggage on board at embarkation and off the ship at the end of the cruise as long as it does not exceed 24″W x 16″H x 30″L. This is an advantage you may want to consider as it will allow for quicker easier access to your bags.

Please note that Carnival assumes no responsibility for carry-on luggage.

I’d like to take private blues dance lessons while on the boat? Where can I get more information and how can I sign up?!

All information will be posted on our TALENT PAGE as we get closer to time. Private and Group lessons are being offered. Details, pricing, sign up sheets will be online later. Stay tuned for FB and email updates.

If you are not on our mailing list, register your email on our home page.

Can I use my cell phone on the boat?

Once we leave the port of Long Beach it’s best to turn your phones off! ‘

Prices for texts, voice messages and calling can get pretty steep! You can always check your provider about international charges once we’re in Mexico on Saturday.

Transportation

What’s the closest airport to fly into?

You can fly into Long Beach Airport if you can, otherwise LAX works well and there are super shuttles to the pier from both airports.

How do I get to the Long Beach Pier from LAX?

Travel south on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), then south on the Harbor Freeway (Interstate 110). Take the off ramp for Vincent Thomas Bridge (47)/Harbor Boulevard. Exit at Harbor Boulevard and proceed straight through the Harbor Boulevard intersection. Turn right to enter the World Cruise Center.

Does Carnival Cruise Lines Offer Transportation Service Between the Airport and Pier?

Most of our dancers take the Super Shuttle from the airport to the pier. click here

Carnival also offers transportation services at most ports, click here (But there have been complaints about the pick up service and it’s more expensive.)

Is there parking at the dock?

Yes there’s a parking lot. Last year it was $17 per day and they take credit cards.

Embarkation and Debarkation

What’s the deal with all of the cabin-mates having to register?

Everyone has to register to get on board. Part of it is a Homeland Security thing. You also can’t print up your boarding pass until you are all registered.

Are passports required?

It is recommended that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to meet their ship at the first port should they miss their scheduled embarkation and allow guests that must disembark the ship before their cruise ends due to an emergency to fly back to the U.S without significant delays and complications. It is also recommended that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond completion of travel.

I think you can also use your birth certificate.

What’s the closest airport to fly into?

You can fly into Long Beach Airport if you can, otherwise LAX works well and there are super shuttles to the pier from both airports.

How do I get to the Long Beach Pier from LAX?

Travel south on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), then south on the Harbor Freeway (Interstate 110). Take the off ramp for Vincent Thomas Bridge (47)/Harbor Boulevard. Exit at Harbor Boulevard and proceed straight through the Harbor Boulevard intersection. Turn right to enter the World Cruise Center.

Does Carnival Cruise Lines Offer Transportation Service Between the Airport and Pier?

Most of our dancers take the Super Shuttle from the airport to the pier. click here

Carnival also offers transportation services at most ports, click here (But there have been complaints about the pick up service and it’s more expensive.)

Is there parking at the dock?

Yes there’s a parking lot. Last year it was $17 per day and they take credit cards.

What’s the earliest I can embark?

Officially you can get on around 10:00am -11:00am. But you may not be able to go into your stateroom yet.

But we will be eating lunch on the boat (meeting on Lido Deck grill in back by the Pizza Bar)

We have a Meet & Greet at 3:00-4:30pm on Friday on the LIDO DECK PORTSIDE before we set sail.

What’s the latest I can embark?

We have a Meet & Greet scheduled for 3:00pm to 4:30pm on the Lido Deck Portside before we set sail. We will be handing out T-Shirts, schedules and other fun stuffs!

But in general, best to get there at least 1 1/2 hours before the boat sails at 5pm, Friday March 15, 2013. (Ask Shaheed about that 😉

Give yourself enough time to wait in line to go through the embarkation process.

What time does the boat return on Monday?

The boat docks at 8am Monday morning. If you’re in a hurry don’t put your bags our the night before. Just carry your bags off at that time so you don’t have to wait for baggage claim. Otherwise we usually hang out and eat breakfast as they call us to debark by decks.

Most importantly: How much alcohol can I bring on board?

Guests, 21 years of age and older, may bring one bottle (750ml) of wine or champagne, per person, only in their carry-on luggage. (I hear Snapple looks an awful lot like scotch…)

On the Boat

What Dance Shoes Should I Wear?

Very good question! We are on the Lido Deck which is wood. But we are also in the lounges and hallways dancing. Those floor tend to be sticky. And then during the Meet and Greet we have carpet. Does that answer your question? To cover all your bases, bring several pairs and try them out on all the different surfaces to be safe.

I have Special Dietary Needs…

All dietary needs such as Vegetarian or Low Salt or Low Sugar, are currently part of the menu selection onboard . This is on all ships. For those dietary needs that need special attention, ie: Gluten free or allergies related inquiries , please contact the special needs department at 800 438 6744 x 70025. They will give you more detailed information.

How does tipping on board work?

For your convenience, Carnival automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $11.50 per guest, per day. But feel free to take care of your servers if they’ve gone above and beyond!

Whatever shall I wear?

There’s pools and hot tubs, a gym and a formal dinner on Saturday night. Guys have dressed in tuxes and suits, Ladies in evening gowns and cocktail dresses….surprise us with how well you can clean up!

Also we will be dancing under the stars at night and although it’s warmer here than most parts in the beginning of March, bring warm clothes (at least until you warm up dancing.)

What is the Carnival Inspiration Fun Ship’s Deck Layout?

What’s the earliest I can embark?

Officially you can get on around 10:00am -11:00am. But you may not be able to go into your stateroom yet.

But we will be eating lunch on the boat (meeting on Lido Deck grill in back by the Pizza Bar)

We have a Meet & Greet at 3:00-4:30pm on Friday on the LIDO DECK PORTSIDE before we set sail.

What’s the latest I can embark?

We have a Meet & Greet scheduled for 3:00pm to 4:30pm on the Lido Deck Portside before we set sail. We will be handing out T-Shirts, schedules and other fun stuffs!

But in general, best to get there at least 1 1/2 hours before the boat sails at 5pm, Friday March 15, 2013. (Ask Shaheed about that 😉

Give yourself enough time to wait in line to go through the embarkation process.

What time does the boat return on Monday?

The boat docks at 8am Monday morning. If you’re in a hurry don’t put your bags our the night before. Just carry your bags off at that time so you don’t have to wait for baggage claim. Otherwise we usually hang out and eat breakfast as they call us to debark by decks.

Most importantly: How much alcohol can I bring on board?

Guests, 21 years of age and older, may bring one bottle (750ml) of wine or champagne, per person, only in their carry-on luggage. (I hear Snapple looks an awful lot like scotch…)

I’d like to take private blues dance lessons while on the boat? Where can I get more information and how can I sign up?!

All information will be posted on our TALENT PAGE as we get closer to time. Private and Group lessons are being offered. Details, pricing, sign up sheets will be online later. Stay tuned for FB and email updates.

If you are not on our mailing list, register your email on our home page.

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What Folks Are Saying…

"It's blues dancing...ON A BOAT!" ~Tim O'Neill

“One of the best dance related vacations I’ve ever had. I recommend it to all fun-loving blues dancers everywhere.”
~Damon Stone

The Blues Cruise isn’t a one-time vacation, it’s a yearly vacation that that my whole family enjoys and we can’t wait to get to the next one (we’ve all been four times)!!
~ Shane Karns and the Pants Family (Los Angeles, CA)